Seven-run seventh spurs Ranger romp

Kason Gabbard won for the first time since April 4, David Murphy and Ramon Vazquez had three RBIs each and the Texas Rangers beat the Washington Nationals 13-3 on Saturday night.
Ian Kinsler led the game off with a fly ball that left fielder Wily Mo Pena deflected into the visitors bullpen for a home run, his 11th.
The Rangers scored seven runs in the seventh on a two-run single by Michael Young, RBI singles by Josh Hamilton and Murphy, and a bases-loaded double by Vazquez. The seven runs equaled Texas’ biggest inning of the season.
The Nationals have lost eight of their last 10 home games and 14 of 20 overall.
The Rangers are back at .500 for the fifth time in 12 days.
Gabbard (2-3) was staked to 3-0 lead before he threw a pitch on Kinsler’s homer and a two-run double by Murphy off Garrett Mock (0-2).
Gabbard, who hadn’t won in his last nine starts, was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma on May 30 and was recalled to start on June 15 against the New York Mets. While he lost 4-2, there were signs he improved.
He allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Luis Mendoza pitched the final three innings to record his first career save.
Mock allowed four runs and nine hits, walking one and striking out eight in six innings in his second major league start.
His first start came on June 8, when he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus knowing that he’d be returned afterward. On Saturday, he was in the same situation. This time, he replaced Odalis Perez, on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. Perez made a rehab start on Saturday night and is expected to be reactivated in time for his next start on June 27.
Lastings Milledge led off the Nationals’ fourth with a long home run to left field — his sixth of the year. Washington also added a run in the fourth when Dmitri Young, who had doubled, scored on an infield out by Felipe Lopez.
Notes: The Rangers visited the White House on Saturday. President Bush is a former owner of the team. “He’s a total baseball guy. He knew everything, but I guess as president, you’re supposed to know everything,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. ... Washington 1B Nick Johnson, on the 15-day disabled list with a torn tendon in his right wrist, will go to the Mayo Clinic on Monday for re-evaluation, general manager Jim Bowden said. ... Rangers OF Milton Bradley did not start for the fourth straight game due to a strained left quad. He pinch-hit in the seventh and singled. ... Nationals C Paul Lo Duca made his first start behind the plate since May 7. He’d been on the DL with a fractured bone in his right hand for six weeks.